Reagan Reagan PresidencyPresidency

BeckerBecker

US HistoryUS History

The Main The Main IdeaIdea

In 1980 Americans voted for a new approach to governing by electing Ronald Reagan, who

powerfully promoted a conservative agenda.

The Reagan RevolutionThe Reagan Revolution Although Reagan began his political life as a Although Reagan began his political life as a

Democrat, by 1962 he found his home in the Democrat, by 1962 he found his home in the Republican Party.Republican Party.

In 1966 he became the governor of California.In 1966 he became the governor of California. Had trouble meeting his goals for cutting the size Had trouble meeting his goals for cutting the size

of governmentof government After two terms as governor, he wanted to run After two terms as governor, he wanted to run

for the presidencyfor the presidency Reagan was the hero of a growing movement called Reagan was the hero of a growing movement called

the New Right.the New Right. His powerful personality, optimism, and acting skills His powerful personality, optimism, and acting skills

drew many Americans—even Democrats—to his drew many Americans—even Democrats—to his side.side.

Hostage CrisisHostage Crisis January 20, 1981: Reagan Inauguration DayJanuary 20, 1981: Reagan Inauguration Day Minutes after sworn in, hostages releasedMinutes after sworn in, hostages released 444 days in captivity: Reagan popularity boost444 days in captivity: Reagan popularity boost

Reagan’s Presidential Reagan’s Presidential AgendaAgenda

Reduce the federal bureaucracy, deregulate Reduce the federal bureaucracy, deregulate certain industries, cut taxes, increase the defense certain industries, cut taxes, increase the defense budget, take a hard line with the Soviets, and budget, take a hard line with the Soviets, and appoint conservative judgesappoint conservative judges

In his first few months as president, Reagan got In his first few months as president, Reagan got much of what he wanted.much of what he wanted.

Image grew stronger as he survived an Image grew stronger as he survived an assassination attempt: John Hinckleyassassination attempt: John Hinckley

Proved himself capable of decisive action when Proved himself capable of decisive action when he fired 13,000 striking air traffic controllershe fired 13,000 striking air traffic controllers

ReaganomicsReaganomics

Reagan’s plan for tax and spending cutsReagan’s plan for tax and spending cuts

Two goalsTwo goals Reduce taxes to stimulate economic growthReduce taxes to stimulate economic growth

Cut the federal budget Cut the federal budget

Based on Based on supply-side economicssupply-side economics A theory that says breaks for businesses will A theory that says breaks for businesses will

increase supply of goods and services, aiding increase supply of goods and services, aiding the economythe economy

Shaping the Supreme Shaping the Supreme CourtCourt

1981 Potter Stewart retires1981 Potter Stewart retires Reagan announces nomineeReagan announces nominee Sandra Day O’Connor of TXSandra Day O’Connor of TX US is divided over nomineeUS is divided over nominee Finally, Senate approvesFinally, Senate approves 11stst female justice on Court female justice on Court Retires in 2005, Alito replacesRetires in 2005, Alito replaces

Taking on the SovietsTaking on the Soviets Reagan assumes hard lineReagan assumes hard line Economically destroy communismEconomically destroy communism Caspar Weinberger asks for 10% defense increaseCaspar Weinberger asks for 10% defense increase Reagan agrees, threatens Soviets with Pershing II’sReagan agrees, threatens Soviets with Pershing II’s ““zero option” - US won’t deploy if USSR doesn’tzero option” - US won’t deploy if USSR doesn’t Soviet Brezhnev accuses US of fueling Cold WarSoviet Brezhnev accuses US of fueling Cold War Brezhnev dies and is replaced by AndropovBrezhnev dies and is replaced by Andropov Strategic Defense Initiative announced (Star Wars)Strategic Defense Initiative announced (Star Wars) Soviet fighters shoot down KAL 007: 269 dieSoviet fighters shoot down KAL 007: 269 die Reagan denounces as a “crime against humanity”Reagan denounces as a “crime against humanity”

Iran-Contra Affair Iran-Contra Affair

Nicaraguan rebels replace dictatorshipNicaraguan rebels replace dictatorship Sandinista rebels create communist dictatorshipSandinista rebels create communist dictatorship Democratic Contras rebel against SandinistasDemocratic Contras rebel against Sandinistas Reagan asks Congress to support the ContrasReagan asks Congress to support the Contras Congress refuses: Reagan sells arms to SaudisCongress refuses: Reagan sells arms to Saudis Saudis in turn sell weapons to the IraniansSaudis in turn sell weapons to the Iranians Saudis pass on weapon profits to Contra rebelsSaudis pass on weapon profits to Contra rebels Reagan & administration are aware of Reagan & administration are aware of

arrangementarrangement

Contras in TrainingContras in Training

Daniel Ortega, Sandinista LeaderDaniel Ortega, Sandinista Leader

America Loves ReaganAmerica Loves Reagan Reagan enjoys unprecedented popularityReagan enjoys unprecedented popularity Approval ratings hit 70%Approval ratings hit 70% Reagan jokes on radio- people believe him:Reagan jokes on radio- people believe him:

““My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." minutes."

1984 brings the Reagan v. Mondale Election1984 brings the Reagan v. Mondale Election Reagan landslide: carries 49 statesReagan landslide: carries 49 states Over 25% of registered Democrats vote Over 25% of registered Democrats vote

ReaganReagan Reagan becomes oldest President at age 73Reagan becomes oldest President at age 73

Ending the Cold WarEnding the Cold War Brezhnev dies, replaced by Gromyko Brezhnev dies, replaced by Gromyko Reagan invites Gromyko to White House, Reagan invites Gromyko to White House,

talkstalks Gromyko dies, replaced by ChernenkoGromyko dies, replaced by Chernenko Reagan asks for peace talks with Reagan asks for peace talks with

ChernenkoChernenko Chernenko dies, replaced by GorbachevChernenko dies, replaced by Gorbachev Reagan visits BerlinReagan visits Berlin

““Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Reagan calls for Geneva Summit w/ SovietsReagan calls for Geneva Summit w/ Soviets

Geneva Summit, Etc.Geneva Summit, Etc. Reagan/Gorbachev hold hour-long conversationReagan/Gorbachev hold hour-long conversation First private meeting of US/USSR leadersFirst private meeting of US/USSR leaders Reagan convinced Gorbachev to arms reductionReagan convinced Gorbachev to arms reduction

50% mutual reduction of nuclear armaments50% mutual reduction of nuclear armaments Reykjavik Conference: USSR demands end to SDIReykjavik Conference: USSR demands end to SDI

Reagan says no compromise: walks outReagan says no compromise: walks out Washington Summit held: INF Treaty resultsWashington Summit held: INF Treaty results KGB violence against Reagan supporters in KGB violence against Reagan supporters in

MoscowMoscow Dec 25, 1991 USSR dissolved: Reagan credited Dec 25, 1991 USSR dissolved: Reagan credited